Preserved eye drops typically contain chemical preservatives like benzalkonium chloride (BAK), but prolonged use of these preservatives may have an adverse impact on your tear film.
Optometrists often advise choosing preservative-free solutions instead, which come packaged to remain sterile without preservatives in single dose vials or multi dose bottles equipped with filters.
They’re gentler
Preservative-free eye drops, in particular, don’t interfere with the tear film or natural moisture production, making them an easier and gentler option to choose. In fact, doctors frequently recommend them post-surgery for cataract or LASIK procedures to aid recovery.
Preservatives not only extend the shelf life of water-based products, but they also act as a safeguard against bacteria, yeasts and molds that might threaten them without protection from preservatives. Preservative-free products with very little water content or none at all may use other means such as airless pumps and airtight packaging to preserve freshness.
As clean beauty products with short ingredient lists become more and more popular, consumers have come to believe that products without preservatives will automatically be more gentle and safe for sensitive skin, but this can be misleading. Both natural and synthetic preservatives play an essential role in keeping skincare products free from contamination, keeping users safe. The highest-performing skincare products incorporate these preservatives at optimal concentrations and combinations for maximum efficacy, stability, and consumer safety.
They’re more convenient
Preservatives help stop the development of microbes in products exposed to air, fingers, or spatulas – such as water-based products such as eye drops and ointments – which may become susceptible to contamination from warm, humid environments and sudden temperature shifts. Therefore, it’s essential that eye care products be kept in cool, dry places after purchase to avoid spoilage and irritation.
Patients who regularly utilize preservative-free products or those with sensitive skin can reap significant advantages by selecting preservative-free alternatives. People suffering from allergic contact dermatitis to preservatives like parabens, formaldehyde releasers or isothiazolinones may find relief in selecting an option using alternative preservation systems; those concerned about environmental pollution might prefer preservative-free options as well. When shopping, look for airless and smaller volume options to reduce cross contamination risks with other products and store properly to prolong product longevity.
They’re safe for more frequent use
Diets without preservatives focus on eating whole foods that retain their natural nutritional profile, as evidenced by modern nutritional research. Studies indicate that diets minimizing ultra-processed ingredients lead to improved long-term health results.
Preservative-free skincare products follow this same logic; using them multiple times each day reduces exposure to any harmful chemicals which could potentially irritate, especially for people who have sensitive eyes, suffer from dry eye conditions or need relief for contact lens wear and tear injuries. This is particularly important if someone requires relief for repeated injuries such as wear and tear on contact lenses.
Use of preservative-free drops can significantly decrease your eye tissue’s chemical load and prevent irritation or cumulative damage that could worsen over time, making them the optimal choice for frequent users such as those recovering from LASIK or cataract surgery, and those with compromised tear film function.
They’re safe after eye surgery
Preservatives can help keep multi-dose bottles sterile, but their chemicals can be hard on delicate eye tissue and add up quickly when used multiple times daily.
Preservative-free (PF) eye relief products offer gentler relief when multiple times daily relief is necessary, especially following eye surgery. They may even offer greater safety.
If you’re recovering from LASIK or cataract surgery, our practice recommends preservative-free rewetting drops as part of a comprehensive strategy to support natural tear production. They don’t contain BAK or other preservatives which could cause irritation; also available in single dose vials to avoid pathogen contamination after each use; more gentle than standard multi-dose bottles of lubricating drops
